Alkali, thermal, or thermo-alkali pre-treatment to improve the anaerobic digestion of poly(lactic acid)?

Replacing petroleum-based plastics with biodegradable polymers is a major challenge for modern society especially for food packaging applications. To date, poly(lactic acid) represents 25 % of the total biodegradable plastics and it is estimated that, in the future, it could become the main contributor to the biodegradable plastics industry. Anaerobic digestion is an interesting way for the poly(lactic acid) end of life, even if its biodegradability is limited in mesophilic conditions. The aims of this study were to identify the best pre-treatment for maximizing the methane yield, minimizing the anaerobic digestion duration and limiting residual plastic fragments in the digestate. A systematic comparison was carried out between thermal, chemical, and thermo-chemical pre-treatment. Pre-treatment with 4 M KOH for 48 h at 35°C was effective in improving the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of the poly(lactic acid). Such pre-treatment allows obtaining 90 % of the theoretical methane potential, in 24 - 30 days. Importantly, such pre-treatment completely solubilized the poly(lactic acid), leaving no solid residues in the digestate. In addition, using KOH permits to avoid the sodication of the soil due to the digestate application as fertilizer.

Impact of mechanical and thermo-chemical pretreatments to enhance anaerobic digestion of poly(lactic acid).

To date, the introduction of biodegradable plastics such as PLA in anaerobic digestion systems has been limited by a very low rate of biodegradation. To overcome these limitations, pretreatment technologies can be applied. In this study, the impact of pretreatments (mechanical, thermal, thermo-acid, and thermo-alkaline) was investigated. Mechanical pretreatment of PLA improved its biodegradation rate but did not affect the ultimate methane potential (430-461 NL CH4 kg-1 VS). In parallel, thermal and thermo-acid pretreatments exhibited a similar trend for PLA solubilization. Both of these pretreatments only achieved substantial solubilization (>60%) at higher temperatures (120 and 150 °C). At lower temperatures (70 and 90 °C), negligible solubilization (between 1 and 6%) occurred after 48 h. By contrast, coupling of thermal and alkaline pretreatment significantly increased solubilization at the lower temperatures (70 and 90 °C). In terms of biodegradation, thermo-alkaline pretreatment (with 5% w/v Ca(OH)2) of PLA resulted in a similar methane potential (from 325 to 390 NL CH4 kg-1 VS) for 1 h at 150 °C, 6 h at 120 °C, 24 h at 90 °C, and 48 h at 70 °C. Reduction of the Ca(OH)2 concentration (from 5% to 0.5% w/v) highlighted that a concentration of 2.5% w/v was sufficient to achieve a substantial level of biodegradation. Pretreatment at 70 and 90 °C using 2.5% w/v Ca(OH)2 for 48 h resulted in biodegradation yields of 73% and 68%, respectively. Finally, a good correlation (R2 = 0.90) was found between the PLA solubilization and its biodegradation.

Environmental impact of heavy pig production in a sample of Italian farms. A cradle to farm-gate analysis.

Four breeding piggeries and eight growing-fattening piggeries were analyzed to estimate potential environmental impacts of heavy pig production (>160kg of live height at slaughtering). Life Cycle Assessment methodology was adopted in the study, considering a system from breeding phase to growing fattening phase. Environmental impacts of breeding phase and growing-fattening phase were accounted separately and then combined to obtain the impacts of heavy pig production. The functional unit was 1kg of live weight gain. Impact categories investigated were global warming (GW), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EU), abiotic depletion (AD), and photochemical ozone formation (PO). The total environmental impact of 1kg of live weight gain was 3.3kg CO2eq, 4.9E-2kg SO2eq, 3.1E-2kg PO4(3-)eq, 3.7E-3kg Sbeq, 1.7E-3kg C2H4eq for GW, AC, EU, AD, and PO respectively. Feed production was the main hotspot in all impact categories. Greenhouse gases responsible for GW were mainly CH4, N2O, and CO2. Ammonia was the most important source of AC, sharing about 90%. Nitrate and NH3 were the main emissions responsible for EU, whereas P and NOx showed minor contributions. Crude oil and natural gas consumption was the main source of AD. A large spectrum of pollutants had a significant impact on PO: they comprised CH4 from manure fermentation, CO2 caused by fossil fuel combustion in agricultural operations and industrial processes, ethane and propene emitted during oil extraction and refining, and hexane used in soybean oil extraction. The farm characteristics that best explained the results were fundamentally connected with performance indicators Farms showed a wide variability of results, meaning that there was wide margin for improving the environmental performance of either breeding or growing-fattening farms. The effectiveness of some mitigation measures was evaluated and the results that could be obtained by their introduction have been presented.

[Significant two-weeks clinical efficacy of an association between Massaciuccoli peat and sodium chloride water of Undulna Thermae measured on gynoid lipodystrophy in a group of overweight female]. / Efficacia significativa del trattamento di due settimane con associazione di torba del Massaciuccoli ed acqua clorurato-sodica delle terme di Undulna sulla lipodi- strofia a localizzazione ginoide in un gruppo di donne sovrappeso.

BACKGROUND: Peloid has been popularly used as an effective base in cosmetic preparations, although its biologically-active materials and mechanisms on skin have not yet been fully determined. An association between Massaciuccoli peat and sodium chloride water of Undulna Thermae was evaluated as a 2-weeks therapy for gynoid lipodystrophy in a group of 30 overweight females (age: 20-50y, BMI: 25-35 kg/m2) by means of evidence based-medicine criteria. METHODS: The modification of the body diameters was the primary end-point, and the variation of skinfold thicknesses, bioimpendance parameters, evaluation of skin elasticity, rated thermal contact to liquid crystals and measurement of subcutaneous fat tissue were the secondary end-points. It was asked, by visual-analog scale, for an opinion to the patients about effectiveness of treatment. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, after 2 weeks, all body diameters significantly decreased in the intervention group (waist circumference: 91.95 +/- 8.94 versus 90.60 +/- 8.90 cm, p < 0.001). Moreover, total body water were significantly reduced in the intervention group (35.05 +/- 3.74 versus 34.38 +/- 3.41 l, p < 0.03). As regards skin elasticity (+5.52%, p < 0.001), significant improvements have been determined; subcutaneous perfusion was also improved and thickness of subcutaneous fat was significantly reduced (thighs delta = -1.3 mm, p < 0.01; abdomen delta = -4.6 mm, p < 0.001). Furthermore, response to the visual-analog scale was positive (7.55 +/- 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: This treatment appears potentially useful in the clinical management of gynoid lipodystrophy in overweight females.

[Road traffic crashes, alcohol, meals, sleep and work hours: a case-crossover study at the Emergency Room of Udine, Italy]. / Incidenti stradali, alcol, pasti, sonno e ore di lavoro: uno stu- dio di case-crossover presso il Pronto Soccorso di Udine.

In case-crossover studies, useful for assessing the effect of acute transient exposures, each case acts as his/her own control, therefore, interpersonal confounding is controlled for by study. We used such design for studying the effect of the acute consumption of alcohol and meals, and of sleep and work hours on the risk of road traffic crashes. Subjects, enrolled at the Emergency Room (ER) of Udine from 12/3/2007 to 11/3/2008, were a sample of the drivers who arrived alive at the ER after a crash. They were interviewed by trained interviewers, who systematically covered predefined shifts, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on the subjects, vehicles, and crashes, and contained a hourly diary of the exposure to driving, sleeping, working in the 48 hours before the crash and to alcohol and meals 24 hours before the crash. The statistical analysis was based on the matched pair interval approach. The exposures in the hours immediately before the crash (case window) were compared with those in previous hours (control window). Different window durations were chosen for different exposures. The relative risk (RR) of having a crash and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated with conditional logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders such as day of the week and time. We observed a statistically significant two-fold increase in the RR for drivers who had consumed alcohol (even small amounts) and a four-fold increase for those who had worked > 12 ore. The RR was increased by 10 times for drivers who had been awake for at least 16 hours. Meals were not associated with the risk of crash; the findings regarding sleep amount were controversial. In conclusion, the study confirms an increased risk of road crashes after consuming alcohol, even for amounts below the legal limit, and suggests that extended work hours and prolonged wakefulness may increase the risk of crashes.

Linking coordinative and fitness training in physical education settings.

To assess whether an enrichment of the coordinative demands of physical education (PE) during the curricular time may more efficiently improve coordinative abilities than the traditional PE program. One hundred and fifty-two middle school students aged 11-12 years were randomly assigned either to an experimental (n=77) or to a traditional (n=75) PE program lasting 5 months. The experimental intervention was structured in different modules focused on co-ordination abilities. Pre- and post-intervention tests assessed students' fitness (1 mile run/walk, curl-up, flexed arm hang, trunk lift, sit and reach, 30 m run, standing long jump, basketball forward throw) and motor co-ordination abilities (four field tests of kinesthetic discrimination and response orientation ability). After the intervention period, both groups showed a significant increment in most fitness tests. However, only the experimental group showed a significant improvement or a significantly more pronounced improvement than the control group in coordinative performances. The results show that both experimental and traditional PE interventions lead to increase physical fitness levels, but only the experimental one also improves coordinative abilities. Thus, focusing on a multivariate PE approach linking co-ordination and fitness training seems to add quality to students' experiences without reducing their effectiveness in terms of physical fitness.

Screening for peripheral arterial disease by means of the ankle-brachial index in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic subjects. METHODS: Between autumn 2002 and spring 2003, 2559 newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic subjects (about 15% of the cases/year in Italy) were enrolled in 265 diabetology centres. Family history of diabetes, smoking, height, weight, waistline, fasting glycaemia, glycosylated haemoglobin, total and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride values were collected. Claudication, cyanosis, cold foot, foot hair anomalies, skin thinning and femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses were assessed. The ABI was measured with a portable Doppler continuous-wave instrument. RESULTS: An ABI < 0.9 was found in 539 (21.1%) patients. Claudication was present in 187 (7.3%). Femoral pulse was absent in 218 (8.5%), popliteal in 316 (12.3%), tibial in 563 (22.0%) and dorsalis pedis in 578 (22.6%). Foot cyanosis was observed in 88 (3.4%), cold foot in 359 (13.9%), skin thinning in 468 (18.3%) and hair anomalies in 857 (33.5%). Multivariate analysis of the variables associated with ABI < 0.9 in the univariate analysis confirmed the independent role of age [relative risk (RR) 1.02, P < 0.001, confidence interval (CI) 1.01, 1.04], claudication (RR 4.53, P < 0.001, CI 2.97, 6.93), absence of tibial pulse (RR 3.45, P < or = 0.001. CI 2.54, 4.68) and pedis pulse (RR 1.96, P < or = 0.001, CI 1.4, 2.68). CONCLUSIONS: PAD, as represented by ABI < 0.9, is common in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients.

An estimation of Toxocara canis prevalence in dogs, environmental egg contamination and risk of human infection in the Marche region of Italy.

The human risk of infection with larvae of Toxocara canis was estimated in people from the Marche region of Italy. This region includes both urban and rural areas and its inhabitants frequently keep dogs for company, hunting, as guardians or shepherds. T. canis infection was diagnosed in 33.6% out of 295 dogs examined. Nearly half of the dogs (48.4%) living in rural areas were found T. canis positive, compared to about one-quarter of the dogs (26.2%) from urban areas. Analysis by provenance and role revealed the highest infection rate in rural hunting dogs (64.7%) and the lowest in urban companion dogs (22.1%). According to questionnaire data, the peridomestic environment, i.e. gardens and dog pens, is the most important defecation site in both rural and urban areas. Since over 40% of the dogs who defecate in dog pens are infected and 24% of urban and 47% of rural dogs who leave their droppings in the house surroundings harbour the parasite, it is clear that these environments may constitute sites of zoonotic risk. Our analysis of soil samples from 60 farms confirmed the high contamination level, revealing positive soil samples in more than half of the farms. Substantial egg contamination was also found in urban areas, as 3/6 parks examined were Toxocara spp. positive. Finally, our serological findings indicate that human infection actually occurs in the area: 7 out of 428 adults examined (1.6%) had very high levels of antibodies to T. canis antigen, suggesting a previous contact with the Larva migrans of the nematode.

Growing dynamics of Internet providers.

In this paper we present a model for the growth and evolution of Internet providers. The model reproduces the data observed for the Internet connection as probed by tracing routes from different computers. This problem represents a paramount case of study for growth processes in general, but can also help in the understanding the properties of the Internet. Our main result is that this network can be reproduced by a self-organized interaction between users and providers that can rearrange in time. This model can then be considered as a prototype model for the class of phenomena of aggregation processes in social networks.

Complete remission of epileptic psychosis after temporal lobectomy: case report.

We report a case of a female patient with refractory complex partial seizures since 15 years of age, recurrent postictal psychotic episodes since 35 which evolved to a chronic refractory interictal psychosis and MRI with right mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). After a comprehensive investigation (video-EEG intensive monitoring, interictal and ictal SPECT, and a neuropsychological evaluation including WADA test) she was submitted to a right temporal lobectomy. Since then, she has been seizure-free with remission of psychosis, although with some persistence of personality traits (hiperreligiosity, viscosity) which had been present before surgery. This case supports the idea that temporal lobectomy can be a safe and effective therapeutic measure for patients with MTS, refractory epilepsy and recurrent postictal epileptic psychosis or interictal epileptic psychosis with postictal exacerbation.

[Diagnosis and treatment of associated epilepsy and psychogenic pesudoepileptic seizures: case report]. / Diagnóstico e tratamento de epilepsia e crises pseudoepilépticas psicogênicas associadas: relato de caso.

We report on a case of a 26 year old patient with seizures since the age of 13, who was sent to our service for differential diagnosis between epilepsy and psychogenic pesudoepileptic seizures. Both diagnoses were confirmed and she was operated for the resection of an occipital cystic tumour, that was considered responsible for her epileptic seizures, which remitted after surgery. Her psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures persisted, but, after 4 months of a comprehensive psychological treatment, including behavioural therapy and family orientation remission set in. The authors stress the need for multiple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and the participation of a specialised multidisciplinary team.

Composting of solid and sludge residues from agricultural and food industries. Bioindicators of monitoring and compost maturity.

A study to monitor the composting process, to evaluate the effectiveness of bioindicators for the quality and maturity of cured compost obtained by a mixture of winery residues, sludges from dairies and solid residues from food processing (grape-stalks, grape-dregs, rice husks), was conducted. Composting process lasting five months was monitored by chemico-physical, spectroscopic (FTIR, DTG and DSC), microbiological and enzymatic analyses. Biological activities (ATP, DHA contents and several enzymatic activities), impedance variations (DT) of mixed cultures during growth and potential pathogens (E. coli and Salmonella sp.), were determined. The phytotoxicity tests gave a germination index higher than 90% and no significant genotoxic differences between controls and the compost samples were evidenced. Pathogens were not found on the cured compost that can therefore be satisfactorily used as amendment for agricultural crops. However, no single measurement of a composting process factor, biological, chemical or physical, gave a comprehensive view of the quality of a specific composting. We proposed a tool of bioindicators of potential activity and markers in combination for integrated evaluation of monitoring of composting process and compost quality. The responses of several enzymatic activities were positive and indicative of their favorable use capable to reveal even very small changes within microbial population and activity in test and monitoring of compost programmes.

Soluble and particulate metals in the Po River: factors affecting concentrations and partitioning.

Fourteen metals (Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Mn, Ba, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were monitored over a 2-year period in the waters of the lower Po River. Concentrations in the dissolved and particulate phases were measured, thus constructing a large database on metal variability. The influence of flow and solid transport on dissolved, particulate and total metal concentrations is discussed. In addition to flow rate and solid content, biological processes seem to be one of the main factors affecting concentrations in the dissolved phase, while the inorganic components of solids seem to control metal concentration in suspended matter. Data on partitioning of metals between the dissolved and particulate phases are presented, together with related information on the affinity sequence of metals for the particulate phase, and the influence of solid load on the modes of metal transport.

Survey of the physiological properties of the most frequent yeasts associated with commercial chilled foods.

A comparative analysis of the initial and final population of yeasts, lactic acid bacteria and psychrotrophic bacteria, in a number of chilled foods, varying in ingredients, physico-chemical characters and origin, gave evidence that yeasts could play a significant role in the spoilage. The yeast populations appeared to be unexpectedly uniform and comprised principally strains of Yarrowia lipolytica, Debaryomyces hansenii and Pichia membranaefaciens. A survey of 62 isolates, comprising physiological characteristics such as growth temperatures, proteolytic and lipolytic activities, hydrophobicity, aw and preservative tolerance, in addition to organic acid production, indicated that these dominant species have very few common characters and that they are endowed with a spoilage potential probably linked to different physiological properties. The isolates of Y. lipolytica exhibited the strongest proteolytic and lipolytic activities and a pronounced hydrophobicity while D. hansenii isolates were characterized by a high growth rate at low temperature and at intermediate aw. P. membranaefaciens isolates showed a remarkable tolerance to acetic acid as a sole selective factor. A hypothesis of separate growth loci, in multicomponent or polyphasic food systems, was formulated.

Weak association between HLA-DR4 and rheumatoid arthritis in Chilean patients.

Evidence has suggested a genetic link between the HLA-DR4 phenotype and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in its seropositive form. Such an association varies among different ethnic groups and remains controversial for seronegative patients. Data obtained for a group of 64 Chilean patients with RA (46 seropositive, 18 seronegative), as defined by the 1987 criteria of the American Rheumatism Association, and for 76 controls are reported here. The prevalence of HLA-DR4 and DR9 was significantly increased in the group of patients considered as a whole. The prevalence of HLA-DR4 was not significantly higher, however, when seronegative and seropositive patients were separately compared with controls. Also, it did not correlate with the severity of the disease within each subgroup of patients. On the other hand, HLA-DR9 showed a highly significant difference, not previously described, only for the seropositive patients in comparison with controls. The prevalence of DQ specificities showed no relevant differences among the groups. The HLA-DR4 serotype, therefore, is a weak marker for RA and does not differentiate any subgroup of patients in the Chilean group studied. This new finding, indicating an association between RA and the DR9 antigen, may be explained by the suggestion that susceptibility epitopes are shared among different DR molecules. This hypothesis might also account for the variation in the association of DR4 with RA.

Analysis of yeast flora associated with grape sour rot and of the chemical disease markers.

The frequency and the density of the species associated with grape sour rot in different cultivars were determined. The most frequent species in the rotten grapes, Candida krusei, Kloeckera apiculata, and Metschnikowia pulcherrima, and a less frequent species, Issatchenkia occidentalis, when inoculated with Saccharomycopsis crataegensis were able to induce in vitro the symptoms of the disease. The gas chromatographic determination of the volatile compounds in the headspace was used to evaluate the metabolic role of the different species associated with the disease. These analyses made it possible to presume that, whereas some species, such as Candida krusei and Hanseniaspora uvarum, can be considered responsible for these modifications and in particular for the ethyl acetate production, others, such as Saccharomycopsis crataegensis, can promote the development of the former species.